Spurs memory 8: Fisher’s buzzer-beater ends team’s most stunning loss

In terms of catastrophic memories for Spurs Nation, it’s a play that rises above all of the rest.

Mention “0.4” to any Spurs fan. No other prompting is necessary. They will immediately remember Derek Fisher’s dramatic 16-footer dagger at the buzzer in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference semifinals – and probably where they were when the bitterest loss in team history transpired.

Fisher’s shot snatched homecourt advantage as the Lakers escaped with a 74-73 victory over the defending NBA champion Spurs. It capped a wild finish where the lead changed three times in the final 11.5 seconds and twice in the final second.

The Spurs had rallied from 16 points down with 3:59 left in the third quarter. They had seemingly escaped with an improbable victory after Tim Duncan sank an 18-footer with 0.4 seconds left.

But on the ensuing play, Fisher caught the inbounds pass from Gary Payton and, in one motion, released a prayer over Manu Ginobili. As the ball fell rippled the net, the Spurs players looked at each other in disbelief. Fisher ran off the court before he was swarmed by his teammates.

“Last year we got lucky,” Ginobili told the Express-News. “This year we didn’t.”

Officials Joe Forte, Danny Crawford and Ron Garretson huddled for several minutes watching the replay before making their decision. The officials ruled that Fisher released the ball before time expired to settle the Lakers’ victory.

San Antonio unsuccessfully filed an official protest with the league that was denied.

The Lakers had claimed a 72-71 lead on Kobe Bryant’s 20-footer with 11.9 seconds left.

The Spurs then called timeout. Fisher fouled Devin Brown with 5.4 seconds left to prompt another timeout from the Spurs.

Duncan caught the inbounds pass high on the right wing, but crowded so tightly to make a handoff. Instead, with Shaquille O’Neal practically hugging him, Duncan dribbled left and then lofted his shot high over the massive center’s outstretched arm as he fell to the floor.

When the ball slid in, Duncan reacted like he had won the lottery. It appeared to have capped a monster game for Duncan, who finished with 21 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. Arguably, it could have been one of the biggest shots in Spurs history.

Instead, it left just enough time for Fisher’s heroics.

Under NBA rules, a player does not have enough time to catch and shoot a ball with 0.3 seconds or less on the clock. However, with 0.4 seconds to work with, Fisher took a turnaround jumper over the fast-closing Ginobili from the left wing for the game-winning hoop.

“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to get one just like that,” Fisher told the Los Angeles Times.

Fisher’s shot provided the Lakers with the break needed to snap San Antonio’s 17-game home winning streak that had stretched since March 1. Earlier in the series, the Lakers had snapped the Spurs’ 17-game winning streak after San Antonio won the first two games of the series.

The Lakers scored only 12 fourth-quarter points on 5-for-15 shooting with four turnovers. However, they made their last two shots in improbable fashion.

Bryant led the Lakers with 22 points, but was treated for exhaustion and dehydration in the locker room after the game. He remained in the team’s training room still in his uniform for nearly an hour after the game, received two IVs of fluid and did not speak to reporters.

Despite Duncan’s strong statistics, he went nearly 18 minutes in the second half without a field goal. Tony Parker scored 15 for San Antonio but shot just 7-for-23 from the field. As a team, the Spurs converted only 39 percent of their field goal attempts.

It was a remarkable ending for Fisher, who had lost his starting position with the Lakers with the arrival of All-Star guard Payton earlier that season.

Despite his reduced playing time, Fisher didn’t pout. Instead, he became an inspiration for his teammates.

And when they needed him most, he was ready.

“That’s a tribute to his focus and dedication to the team and putting the team first,” Lakers forward Rick Fox told the Los Angeles Times. “He’s had to sacrifice for the betterment of the team, the addition of Gary. Tonight was a remarkable payback for his sacrifice.”

They said it, part I: “As it got closer. I knew the ball was going in,” Fisher to the Los Angeles Times about his buzzer-beating shot.

They said it, part II: “It’s unfortunate, incredible,” Duncan, to reporters on Fisher’s shot.

They said it, part III: “I was halfway into my shot even as I was catching the ball,” Fisher, to the Times on his form for the shot.

They said it, part IV: “That’s the thing you love about basketball. You never know how it will end,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson on the wild ending.

They said it, part V: “I don’t even want to look at the tape of the last play. I really thought we had the game. Timmy made that awesome shot. I thought we won the game,” Parker to the Chicago Tribune about the devastating ending.

They said it, part VI: “This game was indicative of how our whole season has gone. We look great at times, we look poor at other times,” Fisher on the comeback victory.

They said it, part VII: “I just wanted to get out of there and not give them an opportunity to think that we didn’t believe it went in,” Fisher, explaining to reporters why he quickly left the SBC Center floor as soon as he made the shot.

They said it, part VIII: “How the hell do I know? That’s the cruelest loss I’ve ever been part of,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, when asked how his team would respond in Game 6 after the devastating loss.

They said it, part IX: “One stop. Point-four. You’d take that any day. All we needed was one stop. One stop,” Brown, to the Express-News on what happened.

They said it, part X: “Eight years here, and I’ve always dreamed of being in that situation and making that kind of shot,” Fisher, to the Houston Chronicle, about his game-winning play.

THE UPSHOT: The NBA denied the Spurs’ protest the following day, stating the video tape review showed the game clock “started appropriately.” It confirmed the determination of the referees, using instant replay, that the shot was released before time expired … The Lakers took advantage of the break to claim an 88-76 victory in Game 6 in Los Angeles to end the series. They then beat Minnesota in six games in the Western Conference Finals before losing in five games to Detroit in the NBA Finals. The loss helped kill the Spurs’ hopes of repeating as 2003 NBA champions. San Antonio won the NBA title in 2005. It’s not a stretch that the Spurs conceivably could have had a three-peat if Fisher’s shot wasn’t good … Fisher left the Lakers after the season for two seasons with Golden State and another one with Utah before returning to them in 2007. He was a part of the Lakers’ NBA title teams in 2009 and 2010, earning him five championship rings with the team.